Wardrobe Basics #5: The Trench

The Wardrobe Basics series considers those items that form the foundation of a fully functioning wardrobe. They are those pieces that will go with anything else that you might add to your wardrobe and those pieces that you go back to season after season. This series takes each of those Basics and discusses their importance and where to buy them, for every budget. You can see the previous Basics in this series here.

A trench coat is the coat for every occasion. Throw it on alone as a dress (!) or to smarten up an otherwise ordinary outfit. I have a Gap trench and love to throw it on over anything. With its position as an icon in its own right, there are plenty of options out there, for every budget:

SAVE: H&M Double Breasted Trench Coat:

SPEND: ASOS Maxi Trench:

SPLURGE: Burberry Cotton-twill Trench Coat:

What do you think is a Wardrobe Basic?